Domain Questions

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General Questions

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Domain Questions

Domain Questions

What is a domain name?

Your Domain Name or web address signifies your own address on the Internet – it looks like this: www.yourbusinessname.com.au. It is a unique alphanumeric name used for identifying and locating computers on the Internet.

As no two parties may ever hold the same Domain Name at the same time, it is a truly unique identifier of you or your company. It is how your customers will remember you and find you among the millions of other Web sites on the Internet.

Why do I need a domain name?

Internet Domain Names are a rapidly diminishing commodity. They are allotted on a first-come first-serve basis.

They are important.

The Internet Domain Name has become a vital part of corporate identity.

Your Domain Name is as important as your trademark and your presence in a global marketplace.

They are versatile.

For example, any email addressed to you at ceo@yourbusinessname.com.au can be forwarded to your current email address.

What should I consider when choosing a domain name?

Your domain name should reflect your business or company name, or even the product or services that you provide. It should be easy to remember, and easy to spell! Try saying the domain name out loud a couple of times, to get a feel for it. Domains with a hyphen in them (eg island-hosting.com) are not as easy to describe to someone – same with domains with a number in them.

Is the domain name I want available?

You can do a search for the domain name you’d like to register on this page.

What registration rules do I need to follow?

Top Level Domains (gTLDs):

Just about any person or organisation (globally) can register a domain ending in .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info etc, for legal purposes.

Australian Domains:

The .au domain extension is a country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) which is restricted to use by individuals, organisations, or companies registered and/or residing in Australia.

.com.au and .net.au domains may only be registered by Australian sole traders, businesses, or companies who can supply an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), State Business Number, Trademark Number, or Incorporated Association Number to prove their eligibility.

.org.au domains may only be registered by Australian non-profit organisations and registered charities.

.asn.au domains may only be registered by non-profit Australian associations, clubs, sporting groups, political parties, and close equivalents.

.id.au domains may only be registered by Australian individual citizens or residents. The domain name must be clearly based on the registrant’s name or nickname and photo ID is required.

In all cases, the .au domain must have a close and substantial connection to the person or business intending to use it.

How much does it cost to register a domain?

Which extension (.com, .com.au etc) should I use?

If you are registering a domain name for a business or company, then the .com.au extension would be most suitable. Only registered businesses can use this extension.

It’s also a good idea to purchase the .com version of your .com.au domain, as this protects that name from being used by others. People are often prone to forgetting to add the .au to the end of the domain, so it’s a good safety measure as well.

Can I transfer my domain over to Island Hosting?

You certainly can transfer your domain over to us. If it is a .au domain, it is now free to transfer (unless it is close to renewal time, or you have just renewed it).

If it is an international domain (e.g. .com, .net etc) you will need to pay for 1 year’s registration in order to transfer it.

Can I get a refund if I no longer want it?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to give a refund if you no longer require the domain name. You would simply let the registration period expire, and not renew it.

What if I make a spelling mistake when registering my domain?

We strongly suggest you carefully check the domain name that you are purchasing, as it is not possible to give refunds on purchased domains.

If you did make a mistake, you would have to register the correctly spelled domain, in addition to the misspelled domain.